PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between George Ibraham (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Hector Rodriguez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rodriguez has chosen Rage Against The Machine - Bulls On Parade as his entrance music. Both fighters really staring each other down here, as Hector Rodriguez enters the cage!

Ibraham
vs
Rodriguez

186 cm
25
185 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

200 cm
25
178 lbs
3 - 4 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Dangerous knees
KO power

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, George Ibraham!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Hector Rodriguez!
The judges for this bout are Chris Dean, Ben Watson and Skip Squint.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Rodriguez closes the distance and clinches.
Ibraham tries a knee to the head but he's missed.

Ibraham manages to break the clinch.
Ibraham tries to close the distance and clinch but Rodriguez swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Rodriguez manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Ibraham on his heels. He'll look to pass Ibraham's guard now, I'm sure.
Rodriguez trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Rodriguez trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Rodriguez lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Ibraham wants to get back to his feet but Rodriguez is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Ibraham preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rodriguez landing some decent shots from guard.
Rodriguez won't allow Ibraham to get back to his feet.
Rodriguez distracts Ibraham with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rodriguez throwing strikes but missing.
Rodriguez is looking to work some ground and pound but Ibraham has wrist control.
Rodriguez loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

Rodriguez drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Ibraham dives on top into guard.

Rodriguez is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Rodriguez wants to work for an arm triangle but Ibraham is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Rodriguez is pressing down on Ibraham's thigh, looking to free his foot. Ibraham is holding on for now.
Ibraham is trying to stand up here but Rodriguez is controlling him well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Rodriguez is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Rodriguez throwing shots but Ibraham is blocking nicely.
Rodriguez trying to pass the guard but Ibraham defending well.
Ibraham is trying to stand.
Rodriguez takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.

Rodriguez is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Ibraham sees it coming and defends easily.
Rodriguez throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Ibraham to regain full guard.
Rodriguez stops Ibraham from standing up.
Ibraham might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rodriguez throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Rodriguez missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Rodriguez loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Rodriguez is looking to work some ground and pound but Ibraham has wrist control.
Rodriguez throwing strikes but missing.
Ibraham wants to get back to his feet but Rodriguez passes into half guard.
Ibraham is trying to stand back up but Rodriguez is controlling him
Rodriguez landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Rodriguez is working for a kimura but Ibraham is defending it quite comfortably.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rodriguez seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Rodriguez wants to free his trapped foot but Ibraham is holding on for dear life with his legs.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Rodriguez is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Ibraham has hold of Rodriguez's hands but Rodriguez slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Rodriguez throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hector Rodriguez dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Ibraham stuffs the takedown.
Ibraham tries to clinch there but Rodriguez circles away.
Ibraham tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Rodriguez manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

Rodriguez tries to keep at a distance but Ibraham has taken the fight into the clinch.
Rodriguez is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Ibraham to keep the fight standing.
Rodriguez is trying to pull guard but Ibraham turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
George Ibraham has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Hector Rodriguez.
Ibraham with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Rodriguez jumps guard but Ibraham stands there with Rodriguez around his waist. Rodriguez gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Rodriguez jumps guard but Ibraham stands there with Rodriguez around his waist. Rodriguez gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ibraham connects with a nasty looking knee right to Rodriguez's face.
Rodriguez has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Ibraham after a bit of a struggle.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Ibraham manages to break the clinch.
Rodriguez is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Ibraham tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Rodriguez manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
George Ibraham is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Ibraham closes the distance and clinches.

Ibraham breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Ibraham wants to clinch.
Ibraham is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Rodriguez shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Ibraham as he jumps to the side.

Rodriguez gets a clinch.
Rodriguez goes for a takedown attempt but Ibraham pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Ibraham tries to close the distance and clinch up but Rodriguez swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Rodriguez with the counter takedown but Ibraham avoids it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rodriguez throws a body kick that misses.
Rodriguez circles away from the clinch attempt.
Rodriguez tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Ibraham fails with an attempt to clinch.
Rodriguez is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Ibraham moves in looking to clinch but Rodriguez pushes him off.
Ibraham tries to clinch but Rodriguez moves out of range.
Rodriguez throws a counter combo.
Rodriguez darts in looking for a takedown but Ibraham gets double underhooks and turns Rodriguez into the cage.
Rodriguez is breathing heavily.
The fight stays on the outside here - Ibraham looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Ibraham fails with an attempt to clinch.
Rodriguez keeps the fight on the outside.
Ibraham tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Rodriguez manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Rodriguez has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
The fight stays on the outside here - Ibraham looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Sloppy strikes from Rodriguez. Those never looked like landing.
Ibraham tries to clinch but Rodriguez moves out of range.
Ibraham tries to close the distance and clinch up but Rodriguez swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Rodriguez shoots in and drives through. Ibraham sprawls well.
George Ibraham is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Ibraham has taken the fight to the clinch.
Ibraham lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Ibraham tries to land a knee to the head but Rodriguez blocks with his arms.
Rodriguez tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Ibraham is trying to maintain a safe position but Rodriguez gets an underhook and turns Ibraham into the cage.
Rodriguez tries to pull guard but Ibraham forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Ibraham tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Ibraham has had enough of the clinch but Rodriguez keeps him there for the moment.
Rodriguez fails to pull guard.
Ibraham with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Rodriguez goes for a takedown in the clinch but Ibraham prevents it.
Ibraham scores a nice knee to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ibraham scores a nice knee to the body.
Rodriguez changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Ibraham fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Ibraham plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Rodriguez shoots in looking for a takedown. Ibraham tries to sprawl out of it but Rodriguez keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Ibraham manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Rodriguez avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Ibraham tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Rodriguez manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Rodriguez avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Ibraham tries to clinch there but Rodriguez circles away.
Ibraham tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Rodriguez manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Ibraham fails with an attempt to clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

George Ibraham dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. And we move into the final round!

Ibraham tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
And Rodriguez tries to counter it with a takedown but Ibraham pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Ibraham takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.

Rodriguez fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Ibraham, pushing him back against the cage.
Ibraham holding his opponent close, against the cage.
A frustrated look appears on Ibraham's face as he tries to break the clinch.

Rodriguez pulls guard.

Rodriguez escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Ibraham gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Rodriguez throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rodriguez looking to hit a scissor sweep but Ibraham is one step ahead there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rodriguez throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
Rodriguez throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
Rodriguez takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Ibraham trying to stand up but can't free himself from Rodriguez's guard.
Ibraham trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.

Rodriguez is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Rodriguez bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Ibraham's guard.

Rodriguez passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Rodriguez lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Ibraham parries the strikes from Rodriguez easily there. Rodriguez is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Ibraham to escape.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ibraham wants to get back to his feet.
Rodriguez throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Rodriguez misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Ibraham is working to avoid the ground and pound but Rodriguez connects with a decent elbow.
Ibraham wants to get back to his feet.
Hector Rodriguez has got the better of the ground game so far.
Rodriguez is working Ibraham over with some ground and pound from side control.
Rodriguez advances to full mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ibraham is trying to escape but when you're mounted that's not too easy.
Rodriguez thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
Rodriguez postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Ibraham looks a forlorn figure.

Rodriguez jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Ibraham is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Ibraham and Rodriguez has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.
Ibraham avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Rodriguez.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Rodriguez is trying to get an arm triangle but Ibraham is defending well.
Ibraham on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Ibraham is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Rodriguez is controlling him well.
Rodriguez in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Ibraham pushes Rodriguez away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Rodriguez gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Rodriguez looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Ibraham is avoiding damage well.
Ibraham is trying to get back to his feet.
Rodriguez tries to move into full mount but can't pass Ibraham's legs.

And that's the end of the fight!
Hector Rodriguez comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Rodriguez has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Chris Dean scores the fight 27:29
Judge Ben Watson scores the fight 27:29
Judge Skip Squint scores the fight 27:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Hector Rodriguez!
Our winner, Hector Rodriguez, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.